Monday, January 2, 2012

ALAS ALAK: I am now. I actually read some books that came out this year, so I can contribute. Unfortunately, most of the books I read did NOT come out this year.

Still, I loved these books and I want to highlight them. My blog, my rules.

In no particular order:

1. Ten Things I Did [and Probably Shouldn't Have] by Sarah Mlynowski
I kinda loved this book. It was such an easy read and not a sappy love story, though there is a love story in it. I was still in my "Kelly Doesn't Want or Need a Man" phase of 2011 when I read it and it was perfect. I loved the little love story without being overwhelmed by it. You can read my review HERE. =D

2. The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Word cannot describe my love for this book. I read it in three days. I could not put it down. It was wonderful and you all NEED to read it. Such an easy read. Jay Asher has a way with words and I will forever read his books. I've never really been a fan of Carolyn Mackler, though. In fact, as you'll see once my review is posted, I became annoyed with Emma quite frequently. Josh is too amazing to not love, though.

3. The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers by Lynn Weingarten
I feel like my whole of 2011 was waiting on this book and I'm happy to have read and review it before the year was over. Lynn is an amazing writer and I loved how this book healed my broken heart and taught me a thing or two about love.

4. Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt
I can't believe I almost forgot about this book. Technically I read it in 2010, but it was a 2011 release. And it was SO GOOD. I felt 16 again reading this book. No review on this one, but it does not doubt my love. Reading SGH was like reading my first Sarah Dessen book. It has such a young heart with great writing. After not reading much YA lit while I was abroad, it was one of the first ones I read when I came back and it made me fall in love with YA all over again.

5. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
This book is on a lot of people's top 10. And it's written by Maureen Johnson. No explination needed.

Unfortunately, I think these five were the only "Out in 2011" books that I read! But I have five more of books out in 2011 that I WISH I had read.

6. The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
Reading this as soon as possible. I loved 13 Little Blue Envelopes more than you can even imagine. Travel plus love plus London plus Maureen Johnson plus crazy aunt writing letters from beyond the grave?! I've wanted to know what that last envelope has said for AGES.

7. The Unwanted by Lisa McMann
Harry Potter plus Hunger Games? Oh, yeah. I've been on this ride since BEA.

8. [The] Carrier of the Mark by Leah Fallon
Ginger girl in Ireland who has magic powers. Enough said. This book was a BEA hit! I can't believe it took me this long to get my hands on it.

9. What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
This woman is cranking out books faster than I can read them. Meeting her at BEA was a pleasure. So sweet and so nice. Reading her books inspired many of my first manuscript ideas. When I finally publish a book, her name will be in the acknowledgements. She's inspired me so much over the past ten years and I know she'll continue to inspire me for the next ten [and more].

AND FINALLY: The book I FINALLY read in 2011 that was not published in 2011:

10. THE HUNGER GAMES! [and Catching Fire and Mockingjay]
Reading this book took a lot of TIME. After the huge dissapointment that was Twilight, I didn't want to be let down again. Boy was I WRONG. And actually, I didn't like The Hunger Games. Just like The Giver, I was repulsed by the idea of making these kids fight for their lives while The Capitol lapped it up. I fell in love with this series while reading Catching Fire. Katniss is a great female character and I am just like her: a true rebel. Hence me putting off reading this book for as long as I did.

This year I hope to read more 2012 books IN 2012, especially since I am signed up to a reading challenge! I am getting my Nook SOON, which means cheaper books for Kelly. I wish I could say I want to read 100 books this year, but that will not happen. I can't even say I'll read 50, but I am going to try to read 25, and then push for 50. I also want to go back and read books that I haven't read in a REALLY long time. Unfortunately, my TBR bookshelf needs to be cleaned off before BEA 2012, so here's to another year of reading new books, not rereading old lovers.